A fair deal for Nurses

This week the Health Secretary, Jeremy Hunt MP, set out plans that will see wage increases of at least 6.5 per cent for over 1.1 million NHS workers in England.

Over recent years the difficult decision was taken for a Public sector pay cap of 1 per cent. This was effectively ended September, when the cap was lifted. Now, using funds the Chancellor set aside at the Budget will see pay rises of at least 6.5 per cent for over 1.1 million NHS workers in England including nurses and midwives.

The most significant change will be for the lowest paid NHS staff, like porters, cleaners and hospital caterers – who will see their wages rise by 15 per cent over the next three years.

This is the right decision to take, as NHS staff work incredibly hard, day in, day out, right across the country. Prudent Conservative fiscal management has made investing in our public services like the NHS and helping families with the cost of living while at the same time getting our debt falling possible

Newly qualified nurses will receive starting pay 12.6 per cent higher in 2020-2021 than this year and starting pay for a midwife will increase by 18.1 per cent as a result of pay band reform.

The Government is ensuring also, that shared parental leave rights will be extended to all staff, the NHS will commit to reducing sickness absence by improving staff health and wellbeing, and all staff will receive better skills and development training.